Ali's antics against Brittish paratrooper and southpaw Richard Dunn where hilarious! Look in particular at Ali's antics at the beginning of what was to be the last round, round 5. He points at Dunn and then the canvas, indicating he's going to KO him that round. Then the finale. Ali swinging the big bolo punch in anticipation of Dunn being able to continue. There's also a highlight in the 4th round where Dunn is knocked down and throws a right hand jab almost before he's up off the canvas. Dunn's courage is this bout is unquestionable, even though Ali eventually clowns around. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ykub6DUDYME&feature=related[/ame]
There is a finite number of old schoolers who can say " i fought the greatest heavyweight in history".... Ali looked shot in 74 in my eyes. Imagine how sad i get seeing him fight another decade or so
I don't totally disagree with you. But do you reckon he was shot when he fought Frazier in late '75? ...one of the great heavyweight contests of all time, and not a bad performance from a 'shot' fighter! ...okay Frazier only fought twice after that. But 'Foreman Grill' George helped shorten quite a few careers, including IMO Smokin' Joe's.
I reckon Ali did fight the prime version of Frazier in early 2001 (ie Ali vs Frazier I). Ali's own prime may well have occured just prior to that. Perhaps between early '67 and late '70, when he wasn't allowed to fight. So, in answer, IMO the peak version of Ali would have beaten the peak version of Frazier. ...but never easily!
To be honest, even in the first fight, Ali was real slow,and less agile..He definitely didn't look like a young Cassius Clay. I think he was a shadow of his former self in the beginning of the 70's and thus the 1st fight. Ali definitely did age in those 3.5 years he was out of the ring.
...modern day reflection on his bout with Muhammad Ali by Richard Dunn himself: [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptv7SO9un_Y[/ame]
We used to quote a line from this fights commentary. At one stage in the bout Dunn gets hit with a jab and kind of reacts like he's been hit with two jabs in a row. The commentator starts to giggle, and realising this isn't the proper thing apologises and says "well it's not funny, but it does have it's comical overtones" We used that line for years whenever we knew we weren't supposed to be laughing at something.
At the start of the vid check out the behind the back sneaky right Dunn lands on Ali, LMAO Calzaghe gave Lacy one of them and had a point deducted .Dunn was a tough ******* but Ali had the skills .
